Hero workman recalls moment he pulled Glasgow schoolboy from fatal fireball road crash
A HERO workman told how he pulled a trapped schoolboy from a burning car – but was unable to save the lad’s mum.
Gavin Walsh leapt into action when he saw the horrific head-on smash[1] happen on a motorway right in front of him.
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Road smash survivor Arran Martin with his mum Jade McEnroe.Credit: Collect
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Jaroslaw Rossa, with sons Filip, Dominic. They all died in the fireball crash.Credit: Collect
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The M6 motorway was brought to a standstill by the crash.Credit: PA
He jumped out of the Transit van he was a passenger in and ran to the Toyota Yaris which had caught fire. [2]
Within seconds he shattered the back window to try and get to whoever was caught inside and spotted Arran Martin, seven.
The youngster was the only survivor of the crash which claimed the life of his mum Jade McEnroe, 33.[3]
Her partner Jaroslaw Rossa, 42, also died along with his sons Filip, 15 and Dominic, seven.
Glasgow[4] after a holiday trip to Legoland in Windsor, Berks.
Gavin told an inquest into their deaths on the M6 at Cumbria[5] that he didn’t get a chance to help anyone else who was stuck in the motor.
Two children from Glasgow among five dead in horror crash on M6
He said: “We really did try. I can assure everyone we did our best. We only had minimal time.
“I saved a life that day and I hope never to witness anything like that again.
“God bless you Arran, I have never stopped thinking about you. I hope we will meet again one day and I will give you a massive hug.”
Cockermouth Coroner’s Court was told that the crash in October last year was caused by drunk ex-fighter Pilot Richard Woods.
He drove the wrong way down the motorway in his Skoda Fabia at speeds of up to 70mph, while almost four times the drink drive limit.
At the hearing cops said that had he survived he would have been charged with killing everyone who died in the car.
Jade’s parents Marie McEnroe and George McNellis told the coroner they blamed him for her death.
Ms McEnroe said: “It was definitely murder. That’s the only word.”
Mr McNellis said: “He definitely murdered my daughter.”
Spa therapist Jade had been in a relationship with Mr Rossa for more than two years and was happy.
The granny added: “Life changed forever that day”.
“I miss Jade every single day. I want to know why? Why them? Arran keeps us going every single day.”
Cumbria coroner Margaret Taylor praised the “selfless acts of bravery” from those at the crash site, including Gavin.
She said: “Without his swift response, Jade’s child would also have perished.”
Addressing the bereaved family members, she said: “Your loss is unimaginable but you have conducted yourself with dignity and I thank you for that.
